Dispensing apapratus



May 19, 1959 c, s. ZlLK QISPENSING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FlG.l

Filed Sept. 16, 1958 INVENTOR. CARL S. 21 LK BUCKl-iORN,Ci-1EATHAM&BLOREATTORNEVS United States Patent DISPENSING APPARATUS Carl S. Zilk,Portland, Oreg. Application September 16, 1958, Serial No. 761,322

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-76) This invention relates to dispensing apparatus,and more particularly to dispensing apparatus for a fountain or bar.This application is co-pending with and forms a continuation-in-part ofmy prior co-pending application entitled Dispensing Apparatus, SerialNo. 695,870, filed November 12, 1957, now abandoned.

With movable head dispensers, that is, dispensers in which the head isconnected by flexible hose to the supply, it has in general beennecessary to use one hand for supporting the head and the other hand foroperating a valve or control means for a valve to supply fluid to thehead. Frequently, it is desirable to leave the other hand of theoperator free for such uses as manipulating glasses and for otherpurposes, and it is a main object of the invention to provide adispensing apparatus of the movable head type in which the valves may becontrolled by the hand of the operator which supports the head.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide a movablehead type dispenser in which there is a stationary and remotely locatedvalve means for controlling the supply of fluid to the head through thehose to the head, and in which there is a control means carried by thehead in a position to be engaged by the thumb or fingers of the handsupporting the head to enable the valves to be operated by such hand.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing apparatus of the presentinvention showing the same in use;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the head unit on a scale slightly enlargedfrom that in Fig. 1, parts being broken away for convenience;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken along line 33 of Fig. 2through the head unit and more fully showing the details ofconstruction;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing the manner in which the control unitis connected to the valve means;

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the invention, with certain parts shownin section;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the switch control unit;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken along line 77 of Fig. 6 on anenlarged scale; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of certain partsof the switch unit and showing the wiring to these parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the dispensing apparatus includesa head unit including a head 11 having a handle 13 by which the head maybe supported, there being a flexible hose unit 15 for supplying fluidsthrough the handle to the head from a valve assembly 17 shown mounted ona counter 19. Normally, the valve assembly is concealed beneath thecounter, but is shown on the counter for convenience in illustration.

A control unit 21 is mounted on the left-hand end of the handle 13 inposition to be operated by the thumb of the hand H of the operator inwhich the handle 13 is grasped. On the counter 19 are four glasses G1,G2, G3

and G4 which are to be supplied with different fluids. In the particularform of the invention disclosed, the dispensing apparatus is adapted todispense three syrups and carbonated water, although it is to beappreciated that this is merely illustrative. For convenience, the termsoda will be used hereinafter instead of carbonated water.

The flexible hose 15 comprises a sheath enclosing four flexible tubes31, 33, 35 and 37, as best shown in Fig. 3, which tubes supply threesyrups and soda to the head 11.

The head 11 includes a tubular body including an upper portion 41 and asmaller lower portion 43. A perforated tubular member 45 is secured inplace within the head and at its lower end engages a shoulder 47 betweenthe upper and lower portions of the head. The member 45 has a top disk49 through which the tubes 33, 35 and 37 extend in sealed relation. Theflexible tubes 33, 35 and 37 are adapted to be supplied with syrupsunder relatively low pressure, for instance, 20 or 30 pounds, fromcompression vessels of conventional form (not shown). A set of valves,to be referred to presently, controls the supply of fluids from thecompression vessels to the flexible conduits 33, 35 and 37.

The soda conduit 31 enters through a side wall of the upper portion 41of the head 11 to supply fluid to the annular space between theperforated tubular member 45 and the interior of the upper portion 41 ofthe head. The soda is initially under much greater pressure, but thevalve which controls the flow of soda from the soda vessel to theflexible conduit 31 reduces the pressure. The soda entering the annularspace is thoroughly broken up by passage through the perforations of themember 45 and is thus rendered in a suitable foaming state.

As will be presently explained, soda alone can be dispensed, or sodaalong with any one of the syrups, in which latter case the soda willentrain the syrup and carry it in intermixed relation into theappropriate glass or other container.

The tubular handle 13 has a cut-out portion at its lower left-hand end,as shown in Fig. 3, within which the head 41 is accommodated. The headis supported by having a bail 51 fitting on a retaining element 53provided on the left-hand end of the handle. The righthand end of thehandle has a grommet 55 through which the hose 15 extends.

The control unit 21 includes a hollow block 61 provided with recesses inthe opposite end walls thereof so that it conveniently fits to thecontour of the handle 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A screw 63, whichpasses through the top wall of the block, threads into the handle toretain the block in place.

In the particular form of the invention shown, the block is equippedwith four push-button switches 71, 73, and 77, of conventionalconstruction, which are connected by suitable leads generally entitled78 to the valve assembly 17. The leads 78 are flexible and are containedwithin the sheath of the hose 15, and thus permit the control unit 21 tobe moved in unison with the head 11 without interference by the leads.

It will be appreciated that the head, together with the control box andthe handle 13, will not infrequently be immersed in water, such as whenwashing the head or when the head unit is accidentally dropped in thesink conventionally provided behind the bar, and thus it is desired thatthe operator not be placed in danger nor subjected to annoying shocksbecause of such wetting or immersion. Therefore, a six-volt controlarrangement is provided by a voltage step-down transformer 79, as shownin Fig. 4, which supplies six-volt current to the push-button circuitand to a plurality of relay coils 81, 83, and 87 connected by leads 91,93, and 97 to the associated push buttons 71, 73, 75 and 77, respec- U7tively. A common line 99 connects one side of each push-button switch toone side of the secondary of the transformer 79, and a common line 100connects the coils to the other side of such-secondary.

'Controlled by the relay coil 31 is a single-throw, single-pole switch101, and controlled by the coils 33, 35 and 87 are double-pole,single-throw switch units 103, 105 and 107, respectively. The bottomcontact, as the parts are shown in the drawing, of each of the switches103, 105 and 107 and the upper contact of the switch unit 101 areconnected by a common line 108 to one side of the primary of thetransformer 70. The next higher contact of each of the switch units 103,105 and 107 is connected by a common line 109 to the lower contact ofthe switch 101.

The switch 101 and the upper switches of the switch units 103, 105 and107 are connected to and control the supply of current to four ll-voltsolenoid coils 111, 113, 115 and 117 which control the operation of fourvalves 121, 123, 125 and 127. The valves control the flow of fluids frompressure vessels to the flexible conduits 31, 33, 35 and 37.

It is apparent that, if the push button 71 is depressed, the circuitthrough relay coil 81 will be completed to close the switch 101 toenergize the solenoid coil 111 to operate the valve 121 to supply, inthis case, soda to the head 11 through the conduit 31. If the pushbutton 73 is depressed, the relay coil 83 will be energized to closeboth of the switches of the switch unit 103, the lower switch serving toenergize the solenoid coil 111 and the upper switch serving to energizethe solenoid coil 113 to open both the valves 121 and 123. It may beassumed that the valve 123 controls the flow of syrup through a flexibleconduit 33 to the head. Under such circumstances, a supply of syrup willbe ejected from the end of the conduit 33, and the soda injected intothe head through the conduit 31 will serve to entrain the syrup andinterrnix with the syrup and inject it into the appro' priate container.

it is further pointed out that pressing the push button 75 will serve tosupply another syrup and soda to the head, and pressing the push button77 will serve to supply still another syrup and soda to the head.

It is apparent that, by using a low voltage six-volt circuit arrangementto the head itself, there is no danger of the operator receivingdangerous shocks because of the head becoming wet as it would naturallybecome during use.

Of course, the disclosure of a system based on dispensing four fluids isonly illustrative, and the invention has equal applicability to such asystem for dispensing any number of fluids.

Referring to Fig. 5, the modified form of the invention in generalincludes a head unit having a head 211 secured to a tubular handle 213which is of a size to be gripped in the hand of the user. There is aflexible hose unit 215 for supplying fluid through the handle 213 to thehead 211. The supply of fluid is controlled by a valve assembly mountedin the casing 217. A valve control switch unit 221 is mounted on theleft-hand end portion of the handle 213 in position to be operated bythe thlmb and/or fingers of the hand holding the handle to leave theother hand free for other uses.

More specifically, the handle 213 is of cylindrical form having agrommet 231 of rubber or other elastomer material fitted in theright-hand end of the handle. The grommet has a hole through which thehose unit 215 extends.

The hose unit includes a flexible tubular sheath 235 through whichextends a plurality of flexible tubes 236, 237, 238 and 239 for carryingfluids from the housing 217 to the head 211. Specifically, the tube 236is to carry carbonated water, and the remaining tubes are to carrysyrup.

At their right-hand end, each tube snugly receives a tubular fitting 240having a flared internally conical end 241 to fit in complementaryfashion on the external conical end 243 of a tubular outlet member 245projecting from the housing 217. A clamping plate 245 slidably receivesthe fittings 240 and fiits on a pair of studs 247, one of which isshown. Wing nuts 249, one of which is shown, thread on the studs toclamp the flared ends 241 against the outlet members 245.

At their left-hand ends, the tubes project through suitable openingsformed in a cup-shaped casing 251 of the head 211. The soda tube 236projects through an opening formed in the top of the casing whereas theremain ing tubes project through openings formed in the side walls ofthe casing and depend downwardly into the central portion of a nozzlepiece 253. The nozzle piece and the casing have a telescopic fit at theadjacent por tions thereof and are grooved to accommodate an elastomerO-ring 254 which acts as a connector and also as a fluid seal.

Arranged within the upper end of the casing 51 are a pair of disks 261and 263. The upper disk 263 has a plurality of circumferentially spaceddepending projections 265 engaging the upper face of the disk 261. Thedisks are held in contact with one another and the upper disk is heldagainst the top of the casing 251 by a screw 267 which passes through aclearance opening 269 in the upper disk and threads into the lower disk.

The upper disk 263 is of generally conical shape and the lower disk hasportions 271 struck upwardly to provide openings for the passage offluid from the space between the disk to the space below the lower disk.Soda entering the upper end of the casing passes through the opening 263and outwardly between the projections 265 and then downwardly throughthe openings in the periphery of the lower disk 261. This soda shootsdownwardly around the ends of the syrup tubes and entrains the syrupleaving the syrup tubes to intermix the syrup and soda. The disksperform a pressure-reducing function embodying the concepts of myinvention disclosed in my United States Patent 2,820,675.

A tubular handle 213 is cut out at the lower lefthand corner toaccommodate the upper end of the head 211 and also to accommodate thesyrup tubes 237, 238 and 239. The tubular handle has a flange 281 towhich the casing 251 of the head 211 is clamped by a screw 283.

Five flexible wires, best shown in Fig. 8 and mum bered 291, 293, 295,297 and 299, pass through the sheath 235 of the flexible hose unit. Theright-hand ends of the wires are connected to a male plug 301, and theleft-hand ends of the wires extend into the switch control unit 221,

The control unit comprises two main sections, a lower section 311 and anupper section 313 separated by an elastomer diaphragm 315. Screws 317,which are best shown in Fig. 6, clamp the sections in tight engagementwith the diaphragm 315.

The lower section is formed with a cross-shaped recess 319, which isbest shown in Fig. 6. Arranged within this recess are a lowercross-shaped switch element 321, an upper cross-shaped switch element323, a lower straight switch element 325, an intermediate switch element327 and an upper switch element 329. The switch elements are formed of asuitable metallic material, such as, Phosphor bronze or copper coatedstainless steel. The switch elements are arranged within the recess 319in the general relationship shown in Fig. 8. That is, the straightswitch elements are arranged in difierent arms of the recess.

The cross-shaped switch elements are centrally apertured at 331 toreceive a tubular insulating member 333 which also extends throughopenings 335 formed in the straight switch elements 325, 327 and 329.Suitable ringtype insulating wafers 337 fit on the tubular insulatingmember 333 in interleaved relation with respect to the switch elementsto insulate each from the other. That is, to insulate the centralportions of each from the other. A nut 339 threads on the upper end ofthe screw to hold the assembly of switch elements and insulating piecestogether.

The lower cross-shaped switch element has upwardly projecting dimples341 at the outer ends of the legs thereof whereas each of the straightswitch elements has a depending dimple 343 in its outer end as bestshown in Fig. 7. The dimples provide better contact between the ends ofthe switch elements, which ends may be brought into engagement byflexing the switch elements in desired directions.

One leg of the upper cross-shaped switch element 323 is provided at itsouter end with a button 345 and each of the straight switch elements isprovided at its outer end with a button 347. The button 345 is providedon that leg of the upper cross-shaped switch element 323 occupying theleg of the recess 319 not receiving a straight switch element. Thebutton 345 is thicker than the buttons 347 so that the upper faces ofthe buttons are substantially at the same level, and as a matter of factare disposed in contiguous relationship with the diaphragm 315.

The upper section of the control unit is formed with four bores 351coinciding with the outer ends of the legs of the recess 319, each borebeing provided with an inwardly extending retaining flange 353 at theupper end thereof. Movable in each bore is a button including a toppiece 355 and a bottom piece 357 secured together by a screw 359. Thebottom piece 357 of each button has an outwardly projecting flange 361at its upper end to engage the associated flange 353 on the section 313to limit upward movement of the button. A colored disk 363 may besecured over the head of the screw, different colored buttons indicatingthe various fluids.

The lower ends of the buttons rest on the diaphragm 315 so that when abutton is pressed downwardly, the switch elements thereunder are broughtinto engagement to selectively operate the solenoid-operated valves inthe casing 217. Solenoid coils 373 are shown in Fig. 8 for the variouswires. The wire 299 is a ground line and thus the cross-shaped switchelement 321 is the ground switch element. The cross-shaped switchelement 323 is the soda switch element and the remaining switch elementsare for the various syrups.

The lower section 311 of the switch control unit is provided withsuitable holes to receive the wires 291, 293, 295, 297 and 299, and eachwire is connected to the proper switch element as indicated in Fig. 8,the straight switch elements being provided at their inner ends withprojecting lugs 381 to which the wires may be soldered or otherwiseconnected. There is suflicient length of wire for the cross-shapedswitch elements to enable the legs of the elements to readily flexwithout interference by the wires. That is, there is suflicient lengthwithin the section 311. This may be accomplished by leading a wire fromits hole in a circumferential direction around to a connection to itscross member.

A transformer 387 is provided for receiving 110 volt electrical energyand supplying a six-volt output, so that even if the switch elements getwet there is no danger. However, it is pointed out that the elastomerdiaphragm 315 seals the recess 319 from the entrance of water fromabove, and a suitable sealing compound is used in the holes in thesection 311 and around the screw passing through the bottom wall of thesection 311 to prevent fluid from entering the section 311 from below.Nevertheless, if fluid does accidentally enter the section there is nodanger of electrical shock to the user.

The operation of the unit is believed obvious from the foregoingdescription. If soda alone is desired, the righthand button as the partsare shown in Fig. 7 is depressed to bring one leg of the cross-shapedswitch element 323 into engagement with the corresponding leg of thecross-shaped switch element 321 to operate the solenoid-actuated valvefor the supply of soda. 1f the lefthand button in Fig. 7 is depressed,it is seen that the intermediate switch element 327 is flexed downwardlyto engage the leg of the switch element 323 therebeneath and thiselement is bent downwardly to engage the leg of the switch element 321therebeneath. This means that a proper connection is made for the supplyof electrical energy to the coils associated with the switch element 327and 323 to supply a syrup and also carbonated water to the head 211. Iftwo syrups and a soda are desired, two of the syrup buttons may bedepressed at the same time. It is pointed out that carbonated water isautomatically furnished by depressing any of the switch buttons, and inthe case of the syrup buttons, syrup and carbonated water are supplied.It is further pointed out that the syrup cannot be supplied before thecarbonated water is supplied since the switch elements for the group andthe carbonated water would simultaneously make contact with the switchelement 321 connected to the ground line 299 so that no power circuit iscompleted through any of the valve actuating solenoids until contact ismade between the switch element 323 and the lower switch element 321.Thus there is no danger of syrup being supplied before the soda issupplied and thus no danger of supplying syrup which is not intermixedwith soda.

Referring to Fig. 5, it is apparent that the tubular handle 213 is cutaway at the left-hand portion thereof to accommodate the switch controlunit 221. The lower section 311 of the switch unit is formed with adownwardly projecting portion 390 which is internally threaded toreceive a screw 391 passing through a suitable opening formed in thehandle. By this simple arrangement, the switch control unit is mountedon the handle.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that theinvention permits of modification in arrangement and detail. I claim asmy invention all such modifications as come within the true spirit andscope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing head having a nozzle,a handle for said head, a remotely located valve means to selectivelyregulate the supply of a plurality of fluids to said head, a pluralityof flexible conduits extending from said valve means to said head andcommunicating with said nozzle to deliver said plurality of fluids tosaid nozzle, electric power means for said valve means for operatingsaid valve means to selectively supply said fluids to said head, switchmeans carried by said handle to control the supply of electrical energyto said power means, flexible electrical conductors extending from saidpower means to said switch means to enable said control, means holdingsaid conduits and flexible conductors together in contiguousrelationship to provide a single flexible member enabling said head tobe moved freely relative to said valve means, said handle having a shapefitting in one hand of the operator with the nozzle located adjacentsuch hand, said switch means including a plurality of independentlyoperable push buttons, each push button being operable when actuated tocontrol operation of the valve means to cause a supply of at least oneselected fluid to said nozzle through said conduits, said push buttonsbeing grouped on said handle to provide for operation of any push buttonby the thumb or a finger of said one hand of the operator withoutchanging the grip of such one hand on the handle thus freeing the otherhand of the operator for other uses while permitting the selectivedischarge of a plurality of fluids from said nozzle.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said handle is oftubular form with said nozzle and switch means disposed at one end andsaid single flexible member entering the opposite end.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim .2 in which said nozzle isdirected to project laterally away from one side of said handle, and inwhich the buttons of said switch means are exposed on the opposite sideof said handle.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said nozzle and saidswitch means are detachably secured to said handle.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said switch means is inthe form of a separable unit detachably secured to said. handle.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said switch meansincludes a separate switch for each push button.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which at least certain ofsaid switches are connected to said electric power means for said valvemeans to cause the delivery of at least two fluids upon the closing ofany one of the last mentioned switches.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which at least certain ofsaid switches have at least certain elements thereof electricallyconnected together at the location of said, switch means to lessen thenumber of conductors required for said switch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,008,850 Brown July 23, 1935 2,565,084 Parks Aug. 21, 1951 2,745,913Welch May 15, 1956

